Expectant mother, nine others burnt to death

An expectant mother and infants were among the 10 persons burnt to death in Effurun, Delta State yesterday when a government-owned commercial bus caught fire.

The 14-seater Delta City bus went up in flames on the PTI–Jakpa Junction route. Eyewitnesses and security operatives told our reporter that 10 of the 14 passengers were burnt to death.

It was learnt that the incident occurred after a passenger entered the bus with a jerry can containing a substance suspected to be petrol.

Commissioner for Transport Mr. Ben Igbakpa, who visited the scene shortly after the incident, said: “I was told by a survivor that the fire was caused by a woman who entered the bus with fuel in a four-litre jerry can.

“We will intensify our monitoring. We urge drivers to be cautious. They should not allow passengers to enter buses with petrol. It’s unfortunate.

“We are mourning. Government is sad that such a tragic incident has happened.”

The Nation gathered that the driver, conductor and two other persons survived the incident.

One of the survivors, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the incident occurred about three minutes after the petrol-carrying woman boarded the bus.

He said: “What we saw was an explosion. I escaped through the booth of the bus. I am short of words. My escape is a miracle.”

It was learnt that the death toll might have been low had youths allowed the fire fighters and rescuers access to the scene.

The Delta State Coordinator, Federal Road Safety Corps, Mr. Danie Amromawhe, said: “It was unfortunate that youths restricted the fire service truck. I was told that on arrival, youths chased away the fire fighters, saying they were late. This is not the first time they are doing this.

“The most painful thing is that the police, who arrived first, were injured. The youth broke one of the officers’ head with a stone. Government should do something.”